Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2016
This study is one of the first to consider the effect of “pill mill” laws on opioid prescribing and use. “Pill mills” are pain management clinics whose providers prescribe large quantities of opioids and other controlled substances with little patient monitoring. Such practices are outside of standard medical practice and can lead to misuse and addiction.
In September 2010, Texas implemented laws to improve the oversight of “pill mills” through several clinic and owner requirements, such as annual clinic certification and verification of owner and employee licensure. Researchers from Johns Hopkins and CDC Injury Center considered the effect on opioid prescribing and use in the year following implementation of the law.
